Unable to join Anthony Nolan register???

[stretch]

After spending weeks following little Aillidh's fight against Leukaemia, I decided to sign up to AN.

Apparently I can't because I ticked one of the boxes "yes" (for sciatica)?? It's not a serious problem, started when I was pregnant and only get twinges now and then.

Should I redo and tick "no"? Or is their a big reason for it??

Are you a blood donor? You may be able to register for BBMR - British Bone Marrow Registry

I am a platelet donor and had previously looked at AN, but was too old (?)

When I was giving a platelet donation they asked me about becoming a bone marrow donor. I agreed and was accepted. If you look on the blood.co.uk website it may help.

Very sorry, but I cannot remember the questions they asked as it was a while ago

Is it because if you had to donate they remove the marrow via your spine and if you have sciatica this could aggravate it? I believe some people have developed sciatica or cord compression after a donation.

There are two ways to donate. You either donate stem cells from circulating blood using a cell separator machine or you donate bone marrow itself, which involves the removal of stem cells from your hip bones.

The cell separator machine involve no GA, the removal of cells from your hip bones does however involve GA.

Bone marrow is not donated from your spine.

I too was turned down because of sciatica, as you have to be willing and able to donate vis either of the methods mentioned by LottoQueen above.

Aaah, thanks. Will try BBMR then.

I was turned down because they couldn't find a vein when I turned up to an ANT drive at uni. They said there was no point in going any further because it meant both methods were effectively ruled out. Most charitable thing I've ever attempted but my damn cowardly veins gave out on me!

I've just registered but expect to not get any further as I answered yes to receiving gonadotrophins (ivf) - anyone know if this is a dealbreaker?

I had Hepatitis A as a child (approx 1980) from dodgy water in Dublin.

So do I tick 'yes' for hepatitis which rules me out (on the online form) or no as it's not B or C?

I want to register too, but it doesn't look like they can accept me either

Because dp has hepatitis b, will give them a ring next week as I was vaccinated as a child against it.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

My brother can't donate as he has mild arthritis in his big toe... he's otherwise a very healthy 24yo, so it seems a bit strange?

I have a reaction to latex condoms and after checking with a doctor (after asking on here first! ) I have been told I shouldn't sign up either. I can't donate blood either so feel pretty useless tbh! I looked into doing it when I first started following Aillidh's fight :(

Me trying to sign up prompted DP to sign up though, he had been meaning too after working on an AN campaign at work (charity 'warm' caller) but did it when I was busy complaining that I couldn't.

It all feels silly though as I'm mixed race and I know they need more mixed race donors! :(

They removed me from the register after I was diagnosed with MS. I can promote them though, and get more people to sign the register so I don't feel too useless.

I joined a long time ago. But I once tried to give platelets but was told my veins are too thin. They're the only bloody things that are!

It's a shame you can't donate but you can still encourage others to. Even if one person signs up because of you that's an amazing thing.

I signed up as a BM donor decades ago, can only give blood platlates due to allergies but I'm going to start donating regularly gain as it's better than nothing.

I'm too old and too fat :(

Am a blood donor though so that's something I guess.

WellBlowMe I was accepted on to the register and I took gonadotrophins several years ago